The following is a review of the thirteenth and final episode of season three. Expect spoilers in the plot description.
One final hour until the end of the season. What is Claire saying? Will Frank take Iowa? Come and find out! At the end of the post, I’ll also gather some thoughts about the entire season, though that won’t affect the episode grade. Let’s get to the plot description:
The episode opens with Rachel Posner – there she finally is. She was indeed alive, like Orsay had told Doug a few episodes ago. She has multiple jobs – helping out at a bar, at a grocery store. Meanwhile, Doug is flying to Caracas. What exactly does this mean for the final hour in season three? Continue reading “REVIEW: House of Cards – “Chapter 39””→
The following is a review of the twelfth episode of season three. Expect spoilers in the plot description.
After Chapter 37 we must ask if Stamper’s finally ready to live his life, or if the Rachel-news will pull him back in. Or is Francis the one pulling him back in? Also, what is on Claire’s mind? Come and find out! Let’s get to the plot description:
The episode opens with the news – people favor Dunbar, but fear that her inexperience will lead to the Republicans taking 2016. On the Air Force One they decide to make good use of Claire, seeing as she’s more popular than her husband. They’ve yet to replace Remy Danton, though Seth Grayson wants the job. Dunbar is visiting her old friend from the Supreme Court, Robert. He says it’s time for him to step down, but he wants her to take the job – even though she’s the frontrunner for 2016. Continue reading “REVIEW: House of Cards – “Chapter 38””→
The following is a review of the eleventh episode of season three. Expect spoilers in the plot description.
We’re almost by the end of the season, that means that we need to get through the televised debates. Finally, they’re here. Let’s get to the plot description:
The Underwoods are preparing for the final part of their campaign. The First Lady is wooing voters as she should, and Francis is preparing for the debates as he should. Now, what’s interesting is what happens at Stamper’s apartment. Now that Orsay’s out, he’s telling Doug that Rachel is indeed alive – he was just feeding him false information so that he would get him his passport. He’ll tell him where she is if, and only if, he helps Orsay’s friend. Orsay is toying with an addicted man – and this won’t end well.
The following is a review of the tenth episode of season three. Expect spoilers in the plot description.
So far this season, keeping peace has been the toughest thing for the President – as this season is getting closer to its end, we’ll see if he has what it takes to take on real danger. Let’s get to the plot description:
The episode opens with a town hall meeting with potential voters. Frank is nice, friendly, funny – but people want an answer on the Jordan Valley. Did they do it? Are their grandchildren safe? Are their soldiers? Frank cannot answer those questions. To prevent the televised debates from happening too soon, he makes Jackie Sharp agree to ask for a postponement.
Meanwhile Claire is anchoring, mediating, a meeting of Palestine and Israeli representatives. There’s talk of troop-reduction, but nothing fruitful as of yet. Claire is upset about the Israeli government, upset about a potential no-fly-zone. The representative, however, cannot comment on the matter immensely.
The following is a review of the ninth episode of season three. Expect spoilers in the plot description.
Now that Frank is going all-in, what will this lead to for his opponents – and is Claire still having fun at the UN? Come find out. Let’s get to the plot description:
The episode opens with the replacement reporter, Kate Baldwin, sleeping with Frank’s author. Meanwhile, Frank is holding a political event about his campaign for 2016. The President is fighting for his spot as the Commander in Chief. A vote for him is a vote for America Works. During the event his wife informs him that 8 Russians have been killed in the Jordan Valley Continue reading “REVIEW: House of Cards – “Chapter 35””→
The following is a review of the seventh episode of season three. Expect spoilers in the plot description.
What will be the fallout from one of the best episodes on Netflix ever? Come find out. Let’s get to the plot description:
The episode opens with the Underwoods renewing their vows, but we learn that’s a month from now – throughout the episode we interweave to and away from this renewing of their vows-moment. Claire’s defiance has seperated the Underwoods when they return home. Claire tells Frank that she will get the deal done in the UN general assembly, she believes that she owes him that.
The following is a review of the sixth episode of season three. Expect spoilers in the plot description.
Courage. Ego. Respect. This is one of the best episodes on Netflix. This is one of the best episodes ever of House of Cards. Let’s get to the plot description:
The episode opens with the President being interviewed on the Air Force One by the man assigned to write the book on AmWorks. He is being quizzed on his first job, and in turn Underwood asks the author about characters from his book Scorpio. The President is on his way to Russia.
Meanwhile, Orsay is still by Lisa’s side – trying to gather new information about Rachel. He is acting out, however.
The following is a review of the fifth episode of season three. Expect spoilers in the plot description.
A surprise guest appearance? Executive Orders? Yup, House of Cards is back. Let’s get to the plot description:
The episode opens with Underwood trying his hardest to get America Works through, by any means necessary. He strikes up a deal with the mayor of the District of Columbia, who’s extremely positive about the AmWorks plan. They’re launching AmWorks in D.C., with hopes that Congress will take it nationwide as a result.
While Frank is all over D.C. looking for AmWorks-help, Dunbar is on talk-shows with the husband of the Gay Rights activist arrested by Russia. They both attack the President and his government for inaction with regards to the activist, Corrigan.
Frank wants Sharp to announce her running for office, he wants her to attack AmWorks – and pull voters away from Dunbar. Only to then flip-flop and jump on Underwood’s ticket in 2016. At Dunbar’s campaign offices, Doug is hard at work – negotiating his way onto her team. Meanwhile, the Israelian Ambassador informs Claire that Israel is bailing on the deal to circumvent the security council. Continue reading “REVIEW: House of Cards – “Chapter 31””→
Batman #39 Cover by Greg Capullo, FCO Plascencia & Danny Miki
The following is a full written review of Batman (Vol. 2) #39 – Written by Scott Snyder, with art by Greg Capullo – Release: February 25th 2015.
The Endgame story of the New 52 Batman-run has been extremely entertaining, and we’re almost at the very end of it. Last month’s issue was great, and today we’ll go into Endgame Part 5 – as Batman seeks out a group from his past to clear his head, and make him understand just what the Joker is up to.
Let’s talk about the cover. I really like it this month. I wasn’t a big fan of the cover in #38, but I like the Joker-centric cover for #39. The chair of victims is extremely morbid, and befitting of the situation the Joker is in. Some may argue that this is another cover that is too simplistic, with not enough going on in the background – but I think that’s a very subjective issue to have with a comic book cover.
Warning – the following plot-summary contains spoilers.
Endgame Part 5 opens with the Caped Crusader having a chat with the Court of Owls, looking for their cooperation in finding this Dionesium and finding answers. Sadly, they refuse to cooperate – and an ancient Talon attacks The Dark Knight. He asks if the Talon remembers the Pale Man being around 400 years ago. We are not explicitly told the answer at this point. At this point we learn that the Joker has infiltrated the armory, and Alfred has taken him on – but is unsuccesful and his right hand is cut off. The World’s Greatest Detective finds out that the only way to get a cure, is to retrieve it from the Joker’s spine, and he seeks out help from the Bat-family…. and the antagonists of Gotham. As Wayne’s plan is set in motion, the A-Story for Batman #39 concludes.
If there’s one thing I didn’t like about the issue, it is how suddenly it ends. Just like that. Sure, I get that there’s one more issue – but for a monthly series, this issue isn’t really chock-full of things we’ll remember, and answers we need. We don’t get the answer about the Pale Man, we don’t see Alfred following his encounter with the Joker, and the story ends just before ‘the big bang’ of Endgame. This isn’t a filler story, this is an important one, but we find no answers in Batman #39.
The artwork in Batman #39’s A-story is spot-on as always. This issue is very graphic, there’s a lot of blood – and it’s not for everyone – but darn it, Capullo and the rest of the art team just does a perfect job once again. I would like to mention how perfect the final image in the A-story is. The Joker looks very much like Two-face here. See how on one side his hair is perfect, his face is clean – but on the other side his hair is gone, and his face looks rotten. Perhaps this is a hint. Perhaps the Joker is rotting right before our eyes – and maybe, just maybe, he eyed this as his very last trick. Maybe he knows that he, the Pale Man, is about to die, maybe that’s why he’s going all out this time.
The B-Story The Last Smile by James Tynion IV & Dustin Nguyen is very interesting. The Doctor we’ve been following tells the inmates the story she’s uncovered. The man she thinks the Joker is – a mere mortal. The convicts don’t like the sound of that. Then our Doctor meets the Joker who reveals he had let her to the story – a story designed by him. Fake. As the convicts break through, she is gifted with a gun and six bullets – as the Joker wanders off. The Joker had fabricated her story. And we don’t know who he is.
The artwork of the B-story is actually very good – probably the best it’s been in the Endgame B-stories. I only thought the Joker wasn’t as scary as he should be, but all in all the artwork was great in the B-story.
Final Grade: B+ – Beautiful artwork is the key for Batman #39, and some might argue that the A-story is too secretive. We don’t learn anything new, really, and the concluding part of Endgame will reveal all. The B-story is excellent, the best B-story yet. For full list of Comic Book Review grades gohere.
For the uninitiated: This is a new weekly feature on the blog wherein I, I’m Jeffrey Rex, discuss all things Marvel.
On this, the sixth ‘installment’ of I’m Jeffrey Rex’ Marvelous Monday, I’ve decided to preview, and talk about, the fandom madness that will become reality in 2016. The thing is that DC isn’t the only comic book company releasing a ‘versus’ film in 2016. On the 6th of May 2016 Marvel Studios releases Captain America: Civil War, which will be an adaptation of the general idea behind the polarizing comic book crossover event ‘Civil War’ by Mark Millar & Steve McNiven.
So far I’ve tiptoed around the fact of the matter that SPOILERS Civil War has been, and will be, about differing opinions or ideologies – specifically Captain America and Iron Man not seeing eye to eye. When Marvel released their Phase 3 lineup they hyped this movie up a lot, and it is the movie I’m most excited about in the MCU, and they even had Downey Jr. and Evans standing in front of eachother – ready to battle. A fun little moment for the fans, but also a preview of what will, no doubt, make the studio a lot of money.
Recently, I was reminded of the marketing ploy that Twilight used to reel in fandoms – Team Edward and Team Jacob. This was a genius move, and I expect Marvel to do the same thing. Team Stark and Team Rogers – which will, in truth, be Team Downey vs. Team Evans. This should help them reel in fanboys/-girls of the actors, as well as us comic book nerds – the ones that day and night discuss who’s the better character. But before I move on, do note that I won’t pull any punches while talking about the Civil War comic book – expect some spoilers. And at the end of this post I’ll tell you with which character my allegiance lies.
The following is a review of the thirteenth and final episode of season three. Expect spoilers in the plot description.
I'm Jeffrey Rex 